I had a dream that night so vivid it seemed real.
I stood in a room. A shabby, dark room with one window half covered by a curtain. In front of me sat a sagging couch, and on the couch two figures.
They were sleeping, the larger of the two holding the smaller one. I recognized this hold, it was the hold you keep on the most precious thing in your life.
The blanket wasn't quite tucked up to their faces and I leaned in. Shock pulsed through my body, I recognized the face. It was my own, my human face. I looked down at the girl and felt a pang, my little daughter.
I felt a horrible rush of emotion. I knew this apartment and I knew what lurked here.
"Get up," I tried to yell, "Get up and go now."
A shadow loomed in the doorway.
"Izzie," He growled.
I wanted to push him, slap him, stop him from hurting her.
Izzie woke up with a start, her face looked so hollow, so haunted and I knew what would come next.
I turned away as a sharp smack resounded through the apartment.
The scene around me shifted. Now it was autumn and they were outside. The playground was rusted in places, no children were out today. The pair were perched on a rotting picnic bench. Izzie held the girl's hands in hers.
"You can not say a word to Daddy," She breathed, "I'm taking us somewhere safe soon."
"Daddy can't come?" She replied.
"No, he can't," Izzie shook her head, "I will keep you safe, Zoey, I promise."
I woke up with a start.
Had I once been the woman in the dreams? I let out a tiny sob for all that had happened to us. I spoke the names a few times, Izzie, Isabella, Zoey.
That wasn't me anymore. Zoey would be safe, even if she were gone.
But I couldn't stop the tears that flowed down my cheeks.
"Why are you crying," A voice asked.
Ny-An stared up at me with big eyes. I could see in the dim light that her wrists had rubbed raw.
"I'm going to try to loosen those," I said before she could protest I began to pull at the knots.
"Can't you just cut them off with that knife," She whined, "Please."
"I have a plan but I can't cut you out just yet."
I loosened all the bonds one by one until she could wiggle her feet and hands more easily. Once she'd closed her eyes I quietly started to fiddle with my hand, I was going to need all the magic I could get.
Then I tucked her in beside me and we slept the rest of the night quietly.
"Get up," A voice barked, "Up! Now!"
I startled awake blinking sleep from my eyes.
The man looked at me and his expression melted a tiny bit, "It's time to carry on moving."
"Is my uncle here?" I asked, "Ti-Ar?"
The man blinked.
"I'm Hin-Ar's granddaughter," I tried to smile a tiny smile.
He nodded looking slightly dazed and went to find him.
"Wow," Ny-An said, "How did you do that?"
I shrugged.
"You're so beautiful," She sighed slightly.
I leaned into her hair and whispered, "That's part of the plan."
Ti-Ar appeared at the entrance.
I gave a tiny bow, "Good morning uncle."
I had turned on my charms to full blast and I could see it clouding his eyes.
"Hello, Little Lit," He seemed to slur his words, "Is something the matter?"
"I would like you to untie this child," I gestured to Ny-An, "She's in pain from the bonds."
He blinked, "I can't do that."
I tried again, "I will hold her hand the whole time, but really, she is a tiny child. Surely you aren't afraid of her?" I gave a tiny laugh.
He blinked again and reluctantly began to cut the ties.
"It's dangerous Lit-An, to use your magic like this," He whispered.
I froze.
Taking in my expression he laughed, "My mother was a Licnine witch, do you think I can't recognize one when I see one."
"A- a witch?" I stuttered.
"Use that magic of yours carefully otherwise you'll get in over your head, the skies have blessed you with this gift," He said quietly, "I will stay near you for as long as possible but I cannot help you once we reach our Master."
I threw my arms around him and whispered, "You are good. Never forget that you are good."
He pushed me away abruptly, "Someone is coming."
"Do you have the two prisoners ready yet?" A bored voice called from the entrance.
"Ready to go," He replied.
I leaned toward Ny-An and took her hand, "I will keep you safe."
She nodded.
We stepped out into the sunlight holding hands. Everyone I met got the same strange expression. I suspected they would let us go if I asked, but then Grandmother and Mother would be in danger.
We let them escort us through the blazing sun and into a small settlement.
Children ran in the streets but upon seeing us they faded into the shadows. People ducked into doorways and looked out.
Everything seemed worn down and overused. The colours sun faded the children dirt-caked. The road was smoother being led with cobbled stones. I saw some men in workers' clothes stoking fires.
"Ignore them," Ni-Ar muttered, "They don't want trouble."
We stopped in what seemed to be a town center. Another group of guards approached us and they seemed to melt together. I looked around at market stalls selling food and wares.
A couple of braver older children seemed to edge toward our group holding armfuls of cloth.
"Fine cloth," One declared, "Fine cloth for sale."
The guards turned to the children and frowned.
"May the skies bless you," The children seemed more frightened now.
"Have we found ourselves a pair of thieves," One of the men mused.
"Where did all this cloth come from," Another added.
The children seemed to stunned to bolt.
"We- we spun it, sir," One of the children stammered.
The guard advanced on them.
"Please stop," I shouted, I did the only think that came to mind, I held out the flower.